Purdue University

The Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC) is excited to announce an upcoming short course, “Unveiling the Mystery of Deep Learning: Past, Present, and Future.” This course is designed to provide those who utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools with a deeper understanding of the technology, allowing them to innovate in the field as well as optimize their workflows.

Deep learning has revolutionized artificial intelligence, but its journey from early theoretical foundations to modern breakthroughs has been long and complex. “Unveiling the Mystery of Deep Learning: Past, Present, and Future” is a lecture series that will explore the historical evolution of deep learning, tracing its origins from the early days of neural networks in the 1980s to its resurgence in the 2010s and 2020s. The series will be hosted by RCAC in conjunction with Purdue’s Institute for Physical AI (IPAI). Dr. Elham Barezi, an AI Research Scientist for RCAC, will lead the course. Throughout the series, participants will obtain a comprehensive understanding of what deep learning is, how it evolved, and where it is headed. The goal is to equip participants with deeper knowledge of AI’s development, enabling them to think critically about future innovations rather than just follow trends. By understanding the strengths and limitations of different deep learning techniques across time, participants will be better equipped to choose the most suitable approach for their specific problems and data.

Session 1: The History and Potential of Deep Learning

Date: March 5, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Venue: Stewart Center, Room 279

Vitrual Attendance Option: Teams Meeting Link

The lecture series will be split into multiple sessions, all of which will be hosted at Purdue University. The first session in the series will focus on the history of deep learning and AI research as a whole. Participants will learn about the beginnings of AI research in the 1960s, “AI Winters” and why deep learning remained dormant for decades, and how technological advancements have triggered its most recent rise. The session will also cover how deep learning has developed over time, giving participants insight into precisely what deep learning is and how it works.

“Unveiling the Mystery of Deep Learning: Past, Present, and Future” is open to all Purdue faculty, staff, researchers, and students who want to improve their understanding of and ability to use AI tools in their work. To attend the first session in the series, please register here: REGISTRATION

This event is intended to be in-person, but for those unable to make it on-site, you can join via a Teams link, here: Teams Meeting Link

For the remaining sessions in the series, input from the participants of this first event will be used to determine ideal dates, times, and locations to ensure ease of access and availability for the audience.

RCAC is committed to helping Purdue make the next giant leap in artificial intelligence. We offer the physical infrastructure, education, and expert staff to support the AI work of researchers and students at Purdue. Whether you are looking to advance AI research itself or to harness the power of AI in your current projects, we have the resources you need to achieve success. To learn more about our AI-related services, please visit: https://www.rcac.purdue.edu/services/datascience

Written by: Jonathan Poole, poole43@purdue.edu